'We were born and bred in Glasgow': 911 say city fans kicked it all off as they approach 25 years

And it’s an achievement that 911 might not have reached had it not been for the Glasgow fans who supported them from day one which is something singer Jimmy Constable is grateful for.

“We were born and bred in Glasgow. 

“The Glasgow fans were the ones who kicked it all off for us.

“If it wasn’t for them hanging around the flat even when we didn’t have a record deal. If it wasn’t for those people creating the stir we would have never got to the height that we got to,” he said.

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Jimmy and bandmates Lee Brennan and Spike Dawbarn lived in Glasgow at the start of their careers in 1995. It was while staying in flats in Kinning Park and Cowcaddens that they not only gained a loyal following but met Scottish songwriter John McLaughlin, who helped pen their signature song Bodyshakin’.

“I still spend a lot of time in Glasgow myself now because I am part of a writing team with John Mclaughlin and a few other people,” Jimmy said. 

The singer, who is from Liverpool, continued: “I still have family that lives there.

“The hardest thing when I go up to Glasgow is I don’t have enough time to go round and see everybody.

“Some of our old haunts are closed now like Bonkers (nightclub) and (Chicago) Meatpackers restaurant. 

“It is definitely like a second home for us.” 

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Five

The trio will return to their second home on Friday, February 21 when they play Glasgow’s SEC Armadillo alongside boybands Five, A1 and Damaged.

Dubbed The Boys Are Back, the show follows on from the success of the ITV2 reality show The Big Reunion which propelled all the bands back into the spotlight.

Although 911 split in 2000, they have continued to perform since the show aired 2012. 

Now regulars on the tour circuit and fast approaching 25 years in music, Jimmy admits he still can’t believe the band has continued to flourish.

The 48-year-old said: “We didn’t even know if we are going to make it as a band and get a record deal.

“Even when we had all the success and we kind of finished, we were like that is kind of done.

“I don’t think any of us would have sat there and gone 25 years later you are going to be celebrating.

 “I don’t think any band that has split up has ever sat there and thought they would get back together again.” 

At the height of their fame, 911 sold millions of records worldwide, had eight hits in the UK top five and a UK number one with a cover of Dr Hook's classic A Little Bit More. 

Now more than two decades on, the band is considering some new music. 

Jimmy said: "We always had a thing where we said let's get to the end of the year let's see what the reaction has been, what people want from us. Do they want new music?

"Next year for us is our 25 year anniversary so we have had conversations possible about doing a new album and tour to remember the 25 years and put some new stuff out there too. 

"We are always in talks you never know, it's busy schedules more than anything."

Busy schedules are something they have in common with the bands on the tour except their time is now taken up by family life rather than music.

As Jimmy explained, in the 90s there might have been a rivalry over chart positions but nowadays the tours bring a chance to catch up with old friends. 

He said: "In the old days it used to be about rivalry and what chart position you got. 

"Now we go on about the school run or kids. There is no rivalry we just enjoy each other's company and swapping stories."

Catch 911 on The Boys are Back tour at SEC Armadillo on Friday, February 21. For tickets, visit bit.ly/TheBoysAreBackUK